by Luanne Dietz, www.luannedietz.com/blog
Editor’s Note: Luanne Dietz, a photojournalist developing stories in Israel, shares a moment of self-motivational inspiration, after a long hard day in the middle of her international coverage.
As I was on the bus back to Jerusalem from Tiberias, frustrated, lonely, and worn out, I was trying everything in my “Bag O Tricks” hoping to inspire myself. Heck, I even busted out my fisheye lens. After I made one image with it, and was reminded that I should only keep that for “special” occasions, I reached for another one of my back pocket go-tos…my polarizing filter.
I tend not to use tricks too much, as I’m a prime glass, straight out of camera type of girl. But as I put that polarizing filter on, every bit of that week spent alone in northern Israel became clear. Not only did the mountain haze disappear, but so did the fog that was looming over why I’m here.
As a photojournalist, I feel it my job and responsibility to get into the lives of the people I’m photographing in hopes of sending a slice of reality out to the world. It can become a lot to process when there are so many suggested options and “seems like a good idea” ways to go. I’ve come to realize this week, that I need to put a polarizing filter over my eyes in regards to stories I’m developing this summer. Sometimes we get so caught up in the haze of desiring to do amazing work, that we loose site of the journey itself.
I’m at that point in the journey where things are so close I can almost feel them, but just far enough away to remain elusive. There are a lot of solid opportunities on the horizon but the patience I need is dwindling. So, until I can set my feet on the solid ground of an impactful story, I continue to wonder aimlessly after the unknown.
An editor put it to me this way after a story I had planned to do fell through: It’s only a trial if you consider it a trial…. If you think of it as an adventure…exploring a new culture…being where you’re supposed to be…it’s a joy.
To follow Luanne's blog, www.luannedietz.com/blog
